Have you finished the harvest? Are you a single farmer? Then you have no excuses only to pack your bags and set the GPS for Lisdoonvarna in Co Clare.

“Here we are in the Co Clare, it’s a long, long way from here to there," as Christy Moore sang.

His words are a reality for many people who travel from all over the country – and world – to the small village on the west coast, in the hope of having a good time, meeting new people and potentially finding true love.

The Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival is exactly what it says on the tin; a festival which dates back to the 1800s, designed for couples to meet and potentially marry.

There you will meet Ireland's last traditional matchmaker Willie Daly who is a third-generation matchmaker and claims to have set up over 3,000 marriages.

Matchmaker Willie Daly will be in the Matchmaker Bar throughout the festival.

Speaking to the man himself, Willie explains that farmers are at the fore of the festival and are in high demand, especially this year.

“Farmers need to be aware that they are becoming sought after, they are a prestigious group of people. Young farmers are more modernised and farming ways are not like what they were years ago,” he says.

Farming is a lifestyle that brings consistent newness, with new births on the farm

“A farmer is much fitter – mentally and physically – than someone who works in an office, they are also a lot more romantic for much longer as they are working physically closer to the Earth and nature.”

“Farming is a lifestyle that brings consistent newness, with new births on the farm. It is becoming a more attractive lifestyle for many city people, that’s why they come to the festival looking for a farmer.”

Young farmers who have been working hard are inclined to come and let their hair down at the festival.

However, Willie advises not to "let your hair down too much" if you are looking for the opportunity to meet the love of your life.

You can find the matchmaker himself inside the Matchmaker Bar throughout the month.

There he meets people for a consultation and then points them in the direction of someone "suitable".

“It can be magic when I introduce people to each other that I think are well suited. If I can match two people who are instantly attracted to each other, then it’s a decent start. The atmosphere of the festival is also a big help, it is really magic,” he says.

In an era where online dating is booming, Lisdoonvarna’s Matchmaking Festival is going from strength to strength and the web does not seem to pose any threat.

The festival runs from Friday 30 August until Sunday 29 September and is expected to attract over 50,000 visitors from near and far.

If you are looking to meet a farmer, it might be the place to go!